SNAPSHOTU.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., won the Democratic
nomination for president in July, the only Democrat left standing in a field
that at one time numbered 10. In winning the nomination, Kerry survived several
shake-ups of his campaign after former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean spent most of
2003 as the frontrunner. But the Iowa caucuses, and an ill-timed scream, doomed
Dean, and forced out Sen. Richard Gephardt. And Kerry rolled on Super Tuesday,
forcing his primary competitor, Sen. John Edwards, out of the race. In June,
Kerry named Edwards his choice for vice president.

Kerry did not get a large bounce after the Democratic National Convention in
Boston, and then in late August, the Republican Convention in New York, coupled
with a strong ad campaign by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, heavily damaged
Kerry, who never recovered from a sharp drop in the polls, even though the final
election result was close.

Bush rallies the base in Rochester airport stopPresident Bush made a whistle-stop plea
for votes in this traditionally conservative pocket of Minnesota on
Wednesday, part of a frenetic campaign week that suggests the
candidates are shifting from chasing undecideds to turning out the
faithful. (10/20/2004)Bush in RochesterMinnesota has had more than its fair share of presidential visits this year. Both President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry are in town this week. Bush makes a campaign stop in Rochester Wednesday afternoon, and Minnesota Public Radio has live coverage and analysis. (
10/20/2004)Bush and Kerry's economic plans: Less difference than meets the eyePresident George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry have different ideas for improving the economy. Polls show the economy is an important issue for voters going into the presidential election. (10/20/2004)Slicing the Spin: Jobs and the EconomyBoth presidential candidates use the rhetoric of jobs to sell their economic plans. But economists dispute whether presidents really can improve the nation's economy within their terms. Midmorning's weekly series Slicing the Spin dissects the candidates' economic plans. (
10/20/2004)Edwards kicks off frenzied week of presidential campaigning in MinnesotaBoth presidential campaigns are giving lots of attention to Minnesota this week. Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards made a stop in Hibbing Tuesday night. This was the Kerry campaign's first big rally on the Iron Range. Edwards is the first of the four top-of-the-ticket candidates who will visit Minnesota before the end of the week. President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Democratic candidate John Kerry all make campaign stops in the state over the next few days. (10/19/2004)The Choice 2004 - part 2In the 1980s, John Kerry established himself in the U.S. Senate. The former prosecutor led investigations into Iran-Contra and other scandals. George W. Bush launched business ventures, with mixed success, and worked on the campaigns of others before winning the governorship of Texas in 1994. In hour two of this Frontline special from American RadioWorks, we look at how John Kerry and George W. Bush came of age as politicians and how their very different histories and personalities might shape their approach to the presidency. (
10/18/2004)The Choice 2004 - part 1Two candidates for President, offering two directions for America. They are men of the same generation, Yale graduates from privileged New England families. But they took starkly different paths as they formed their values and politics. In the first hour of this Frontline report from American RadioWorks, a look at George W. Bush and John Kerry as young men. (
10/18/2004)Presidential candidates focus much attention on WisconsinThere should be no doubt, looking at the candidates' travel schedules, that Minnesota and Wisconsin are battleground states. Democrats John Kerry and John Edwards will both be in Minnesota this week, as will President Bush. Mr. Bush is also coming back to Wisconsin on Wednesday, when he'll be in Eau Claire. Mr. Bush was in the Badger state this past Friday; so was John Kerry. Trying to keep up with the candidates is enough to exhaust any political reporter. One of the best in Wisconsin is Dee Hall. She's covering the presidential campaign for the Wisconsin State Journal, and she spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer. (10/18/2004)Neighborhood friction is a sign of the timesPolitical yard signs are the primary way average citizens advertise their preference as voters. In this divisive election year, however, they've become markers on a battlefield. In some Minnesota neighborhoods, the signs alternate between Kerry/Edwards and Bush/Cheney from house to house, sometimes for an entire block. How does this battleground challenge neighborly ties? (10/16/2004)Replay of the last presidential debateFor those who didn't get a chance to hear the debate live, Midday rebroadcasts it in its entirety. (Please note: Because of technical requirements, the second portion of the debate can be heard on the second hour of Midday, which is followed by analysis. Alternatively, you may click the link below to hear the entire debate without interruption.) (
10/14/2004)Domestic issues in spotlight during final debateThe presidential candidates wrap up their debate schedule with an event in Arizona focused on domestic issues. With Bush and Kerry so close in the polls, a strong showing in the debate is critical. (
10/14/2004)Somalis watch campaign with the hope things will get betterOnly about 20 percent of Minnesota's 60,000 Somali immigrants are citizens and can vote. But whether they're first-time voters or future voters, many take are taking this presidential election very seriously, including several of St. Cloud's Somali residents. (10/14/2004)Two generations critique the final debateAn intergenerational group of Minnesota seniors and students gathered Wednesday night to watch the final presidential debate. They wanted to hear from Democrat John Kerry and Republican George W. Bush on issues ranging from Social Security to the draft. Many said they weren't satisfied with the answers. (10/14/2004)Bush, Kerry trade charges over jobs, health care, taxesSen. John Kerry said Wednesday night that President George W. Bush bears responsibility for a misguided war in Iraq,
lost jobs at home and mounting millions without health care. The
Republican incumbent tagged his rival in campaign debate as a
lifelong liberal bent on raising taxes and government spending. (10/13/2004)NRA chooses Duluth as site of Bush endorsementThe National Rifle Association today endorsed Republican President George Bush for re-election, and plans to target Democrat John Kerry in a multi-million dollar campaign. The NRA made its announcement in Duluth. (10/13/2004)